Southern California - 2011 Tour of California to include GMR and GRR

Stage 7: Claremont to Mt Baldy

From the start in Claremont, the riders will be able to see the finish some 6,000 feet above them in the San Gabriel Mountains. The final route hasn’t been set, but it will feature the locally iconic climbs of Glendora Mountain Road and Glendora Ridge Road, before heading up to the Baldy ski area, which features 11-percent grades in the final 5km. The first true mountaintop finish in the race’s six-year history should give rise to a true Tour de France atmosphere.

Messick: “We’ll have a mass participation ride on the route of the Baldy stage, a couple of week before, to give people the taste of how hard it is to race in the pro peloton.”

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/10/news/toughest-yet-amgen-tour-of-california-on-tap-for-2011_145235

Sounds good to me! And the ski lift parking lot has room for the team trucks and other space-consuming bits of mountain top finish rigs (podium, drug testing tents, etc.).

I wanted a mountain top finish at Onyx last year, but they said they couldn't do it because the parking area at Onyx summit was too small. Brilliant; Mt. Baldy Ski area solves that problem . . . and gives them a more challenging finish.

Rick / OCRR

Nice to see Solvang is back

We were hoping for another shot at watching a few circuits on Rock Store et al. It was a great crowd up there. But Santa Clarita to TO probably means up Balcom and a few times around Amgen, like the first year of the tour. Oh well....

I've heard on good authority that the route will go Claremont>39>Backside GMR>down frontside GMR> 39> Backside GMR> GRR> Baldy

Of course they could easily reverse that and go up the front side. either way it's an awesome route.

stoked that they are including mt baldy/gmr/grr finally! last year's queen stage to big bear was largely neutralized with the long flattish run-in to the finish. will not have to worry about that this year.
more than a bit distraught that san diego got overlooked again with the palomar/julian/laguna/cuyamaca area more than capable of hosting a challenging mountain stage.

last year's queen stage to big bear was largely neutralized with the long flattish run-in to the finish.

Tell that to all the guys who didn't make the time cut.

It's really a Amgen Tour of NorCal this year; with only 2 of 8 sages in SoCal.
Glad to see Baldy in the mix, the crowds up there on a Saturday will be a total zoo.
Hope I can get there to see it somehow.

Solvang's in ; Santa Rosa is out.
I think they've come pretty close to playing the whole San Jose to Livermore area out. I think they've done about every possible permutation there.

Solvang isn't norcal

Tell that to all the guys who didn't make the time cut.

yes, plenty that suffered and missed out but that was expected as it is on nearly every mountain stage.
amongst the gt contenders, however, not much of a change that i recall. could be wrong about that and it wouldn't be the first time today.
too lazy to look it up and am relying on memory which is always a dangerous proposition.
this year's stage to baldy should generate larger time gaps between the gt contenders than last year's stage to big bear.

I know a few pros who were cut that day, and they all said that day was the hardest race they had ever done. I know what you meant but that stage and "neutral" don't belong in the same paragraph.

yes, neutralized was the wrong word.

not that it's southern california but glad to see tahoe get some love. would still like to see a stage with mountaintop stage finish on east side sierra (lone pine/bishop/mammoth/yosemite).
i suspect mammoth would probably draw more crowds and has better overall facilities for a finish. with all the great ascents in the area though, it is arguably the least exciting.

Messick: “We’ll have a mass participation ride on the route of the Baldy stage, a couple of week before, to give people the taste of how hard it is to race in the pro peloton.”

this sounds like a must-do...

There is no long climb to finish on at Mammoth. It's pretty high up but it's just a gradual slog to get there. Horseshoe Meadows would be the only climb in the Eastern Sierras I would think would be able to have enough room for all the people and equipment associated with a finish.

There is no long climb to finish on at Mammoth. It's pretty high up but it's just a gradual slog to get there. Horseshoe Meadows would be the only climb in the Eastern Sierras I would think would be able to have enough room for all the people and equipment associated with a finish.Oh I would love to see that.

messick: “we’ll have a mass participation ride on the route of the baldy stage, a couple of week before, to give people the taste of how hard it is to race in the pro peloton.”

this sounds like a must-do...

x2

The mountain top finish will be awesome. I'm gonna be in full L'Alpe d'Huez mode!

some of those switchbacks near the top, in a word, ouch!

heading up to the Baldy ski area, which features 11-percent grades in the final 5km.

I think they mean "average 11 percent" because it clearly goes above 15% towards the top.

I've heard on good authority that the route will go Claremont>39>Backside GMR>down frontside GMR> 39> Backside GMR> GRR> Baldy

Of course they could easily reverse that and go up the front side. either way it's an awesome route.


If this is the route, then it's gonna be an ass-kicker. I'm trying to figure out the best place to watch.

The switchbacks are tough and that long straight away section before you hit the ski lift parking lot should make for an interesting finish..

I think they mean "average 11 percent" because it clearly goes above 15% towards the top.

There's even a street sign that says as much.

This is great news - I'm looking forward to it.

Book your motel rooms now at the Village.

Hi,

Already making plans with old (and I do mean old) cycling/racing buds to do the Solvang-Baldy spectator double. From the village to the ski lifts will certainly separate the climbing specialists from the all-rounders. It will be interesting to see who has good climbing legs in May.

I'm planning on watching the time trials in Solvang on Friday and then doing some riding that weekend in Santa Barbara.

I'm not too familiar with the GMR area. Can somebody map out this route?


I've heard on good authority that the route will go Claremont>39>Backside GMR>down frontside GMR> 39> Backside GMR> GRR> Baldy

Of course they could easily reverse that and go up the front side. either way it's an awesome route.

:eek:All the posts that are on here about GMR and you need directions? LOL :50:
www.socalvelo.com/sub/socalclimbs.htm

Santa Rosa is out.

I'm up in Santa Rosa at Levi's Gran Fondo and they announced that Santa Rosa will get the first stage in 2012.

lol I'm still trying to figure it out.

Backside GMR, frontside GMR, backside GMR = Me confused

Book your motel rooms now at the Village.

They were gone within hours of the stage being announced.:50:

I actually just reserved a hotel in Santa Barbara for the entire weekend.

lol I'm still trying to figure it out.

Backside GMR, frontside GMR, backside GMR = Me confused


If this is the case below


I've heard on good authority that the route will go Claremont>39>Backside GMR>down frontside GMR> 39> Backside GMR> GRR> Baldy

Of course they could easily reverse that and go up the front side. either way it's an awesome route.

This si the course (follow yellow line). I extended hwy 39 as the lower section was not shown in the map, maybe reason for your confucion.;)


Start at bootm (hwy 39) follow yellow, it does repeat a couple of roads (repeats 28,east fork, little GMR) but then goes up GRR to baldy road then up to the lifts.
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/1898/sangabrielmountains1.jpg

I actually just reserved a hotel in Santa Barbara for the entire weekend.

:thumb:

If this is the case below


This si the course (follow yellow line). I extended hwy 39 as the lower section was not shown in the map, maybe reason for your confucion.;)

Start at bootm (hwy 39) follow yellow, it does repeat a couple of roads (repeats 28,east fork, little GMR) but then goes up GRR to baldy road then up to the lifts.


Thanks ! I tried to figure it using google maps too but to no avail because the backside / frontside part. Just didn't understand how it looped. :o

Thanks ! I tried to figure it using google maps too but to no avail because the backside / frontside part. Just didn't understand how it looped. :o

Confusing cause GMR (Glendora Mtn Rd) goes up from Glendora then down to east fork. The way up is the front side known as GMR and the back side is just the side that goes down to east fork which is known a many locals as little GMR although it's the same road. Some say front side/ backside, others Big GMR/little GMR.:p

I actually just reserved a hotel in Santa Barbara for the entire weekend.

My " gone within hours" referred to rooms in Baldy Village . Couldn't get to a phone fast enough it seemed. I still might have an "in" to a room up there, depends how things work out.:50:

Confusing cause GMR (Glendora Mtn Rd) goes up from Glendora then down to east fork. The way up is the front side known as GMR and the back side is just the side that goes down to east fork which is known a many locals as little GMR although it's the same road. Some say front side/ backside, others Big GMR/little GMR.:p

GTK. Might be picking up a bike rike tonight for the whip so I can make it out there and try these climbs out. I thought about riding over there from Burbank but I'd be drained before I even start the climb.

I realize many of you are familiar with the Baldy routes and the scenes along the way. That said, here's some shots from a ride I did in September.

Along GRR heading toward the village.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/GRRBaldyview.jpg

Mt Baldy from GRR not far from the village.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/BaldyviewGRR.jpg

Filling water bottle in the stream that runs along the roadway heading up toward the lifts, just past the village.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/streamrefill.jpg

Looking back at the route toward the village.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/Baldyclimbview.jpg

Maybe 2 miles from the finish at the lifts.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/BaldySwitchback.jpg

Proof.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/Baldyskilifts.jpg

Looking up at the lifts toward the notch restaurant.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/baldyskilifts-1.jpg

That 15% gradient sign. If not mistaken, a sign just before that steep section coming up says 500 feet to the end of the road, which is where that large yellow and brown sign is.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/baldy15percent.jpg

The ride along GMR/GRR to the village is pleasant and challenging, but that last 5 miles is a real kick in the ass. I stopped along the switchbacks at least 5 times for the "picture opportunity."

I am already making my plans for going down to see the start and end of Stage 1, end of Stage 2, and start of Stage 3

Honestly, I really can't wait for this stage. This is a great combo of roads. Many of you have read my ride reports of course, but, for those who haven't, here are a couple of relevant entries to get familiar with these roads:

Glendora Mountain Road (front side) -> Glendora Ridge Road -> Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts (http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=59)

Mt. Baldy Road to the Ski Lifts (ToC won't be doing the first part, but this entry touches on the Mt. Baldy Village to the ski lifts part in a bit more depth) (http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=161)

Should be a sweet stage.

Mt. Baldy Road to the Ski Lifts (ToC won't be doing the first part, but this entry touches on the Mt. Baldy Village to the ski lifts part in a bit more depth) (http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=161)

Should be a sweet stage.

Extremely well done pictorial of the Baldy climb. Great job.:50:

Extremely well done pictorial of the Baldy climb. Great job.:50:

Thanks Hillbasher! The blog is sort of a passion of mine, so I am always glad when someone appreciates it :)

I realize many of you are familiar with the Baldy routes and the scenes along the way. That said, here's some shots from a ride I did in September.

Along GRR heading toward the village.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/GRRBaldyview.jpg

Mt Baldy from GRR not far from the village.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/BaldyviewGRR.jpg

Filling water bottle in the stream that runs along the roadway heading up toward the lifts, just past the village.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/streamrefill.jpg

Looking back at the route toward the village.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/Baldyclimbview.jpg

Maybe 2 miles from the finish at the lifts.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/BaldySwitchback.jpg

Proof.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/Baldyskilifts.jpg

Looking up at the lifts toward the notch restaurant.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/baldyskilifts-1.jpg

That 15% gradient sign. If not mistaken, a sign just before that steep section coming up says 500 feet to the end of the road, which is where that large yellow and brown sign is.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/baldy15percent.jpg

The ride along GMR/GRR to the village is pleasant and challenging, but that last 5 miles is a real kick in the ass. I stopped along the switchbacks at least 5 times for the "picture opportunity."

Nice kit Kidd!!!

The name should describe the actual tour. Once in all the years of the ToC has it been routed below Los Angeles. Half the people in Ca live below Los Angeles!! If you're not going to cover the whole state then call it what it is. Tour of Northern California.

Half the people in Ca live below Los Angeles!!

Orange and San Diego Counties have 20 million residents? I don't think so...

Orange and San Diego Counties have 20 million residents? I don't think so...

I suspect he meant Los Angeles AND below. Either way, I agree that it's disappointing that every year the "tour" has the large majority of its stages in Nor Cal and doesn't make it very far south.

I'd have to disagree. I think that they do a pretty good job of covering the state over 8 racing days. For example, in LA - days 7 and 8 are pretty well accessable.

I'd bet people in San Francisco are saying the same thing - "Every year it starts here, then goes away!" They get the short end of the stick this year with the stages in Sacramento and Modesto.

it looks like they are trying to mix it up, despite places like solvang and santa rosa being overly visited in past editions. i think over 50 cities lobbied to be a ville d'etape this year. as a north county resident, i'm disappointed that the only sd stage ever was the highly successful rb-palomar-esco stage, but whatever - california is a big place. i'm sure it'll be back if amgen or whoever decides to keep having a tdc. i think the calendar change to may and the mt. baldy and lake tahoe stages are nice changes, although i wonder how many people will actually go to lake tahoe to watch. you could wonder that about a lot of sparsely populated places in the state.

is anyone planning to ride to mt baldy the day before and camp at manker flat or by the road? i'm thinking that is probably gonna be my plan

nothing sez they can't start from san diego/orange county/la and finish in sacramento or san francisco instead of the usual north to south progression. they could always tap into the streets of san francisco doing a few circuits up some of the ungodly hills as the sf grand prix race used to (still does? i think that was the name of the race) for a finishing stage with oodles of attendance.